Clinical & Salon Overview
Labs are the classic wash-and-wear dog — with one catch. That dense double coat sheds year-round and "blows" hard every spring and fall, which is why so many Memphis Lab parents feel like they're living in a fur snow globe. The good news: a Lab's grooming routine is simple, quick, and mostly about managing shed, not styling. Here's how our groomers at All About Pawz keep Labs healthy, clean, and a little less furry.
A Labrador wears a short, dense double coat built for icy water retrieves
A Labrador wears a short, dense double coat built for icy water retrieves: a weather-resistant outer layer over a soft, insulating undercoat. It's the undercoat that causes the trouble — it loosens constantly and releases in dramatic waves twice a year. Labs shed moderately all year and heavily during spring and fall blowouts. One rule matters more than any other: never shave a Labrador. That coat regulates body temperature in both directions and protects against sunburn; shaving it off invites overheating in a Memphis summer, sun damage, and a coat that can grow back patchy or coarse.
Weekly brushing is the baseline for a Lab
Weekly brushing is the baseline for a Lab — a rubber curry brush or a slicker, worked with the grain of the coat in short sessions your dog actually enjoys. During blowout season, step it up to daily and add an undercoat rake to pull the loose fluff before it lands on your couch. Don't skip the underside of that famous otter tail or the feathering behind the thighs, where loose hair packs in. A quick once-over after muddy romps at Shelby Farms keeps dirt from grinding into the undercoat. Five minutes with the right brush beats twenty minutes of lint-rolling your black pants.
Every four to six weeks is the sweet spot for most Labs, plus as-needed baths after swims, mud, or that unmistakable pond smell. Use lukewarm water and a dog-specific shampoo — human products throw off their skin pH — and rinse twice, because that dense coat holds onto soap like a sponge. The critical step most home bathers skip is drying: a damp undercoat against the skin is an invitation for hot spots, so towel well and finish with a dryer on a cool or warm setting. Labs are water dogs, so most genuinely enjoy the tub; the drying is where patience pays off.
Labs don't get haircuts, full stop.
Labs don't get haircuts, full stop. What they do get is tidying: a sanitary trim around the rear, neatening of the tail and leg feathering, and a trim of the hair between the paw pads so they don't slide on your hardwood floors. Some owners ask about whisker trimming — skip it; whiskers are sensory tools. If your Lab competes in conformation, a show trim tidies the outline, but for the family Lab, tidy paws and rear are plenty.
Nails every three to four weeks — if you hear clicking on tile, they're overdue.
Nails every three to four weeks — if you hear clicking on tile, they're overdue. Active Labs wear their nails down on pavement, but dewclaws never touch the ground, so check those specifically. Ears need the most vigilance: those floppy ear flaps trap warmth and moisture, making Labs prone to ear infections. Check weekly for odor or redness, and clean with a vet-approved ear solution after swimming — ask your vet which product they prefer. Teeth: brush a few times a week if your Lab tolerates it, offer dental chews, and ask your vet about professional cleanings at checkups.
| When | What |
|---|---|
| Weekly | Brush with curry or slicker; check ears |
| Every 3–4 weeks | Nail trim |
| Every 4–6 weeks | Bath; paw and sanitary tidy |
| Spring & fall | Daily brushing during coat blowout; book a deshed treatment |
| Ongoing | Teeth brushing a few times a week |
Blowout season is the number-one reason Lab parents book us
Blowout season is the number-one reason Lab parents book us — a professional deshed treatment with a high-velocity dryer pulls out weeks of loose undercoat in one visit. Book a bath and tidy before holidays or house guests, and let a pro handle nails if your Lab turns into a wriggling fish on the table. If you notice persistent scratching, hot spots, or a yeasty ear smell, that's a vet visit first, groomer second.
Serving Pets Across Greater Memphis & Shelby County
Whether you live near Midtown, Germantown, Bartlett, Collierville, or Arlington, All About Pawz offers full salon appointments and concierge pet care.